Display device



June 28, 1960 w, E, ADAMS ETAL 2,942,831

' DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Oct. 21. 1954 y u ,ZATTORNEY United States PatentC)` ce DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Oct. 21, 1954, Ser. No. 463,734

. '3 Claims. (Cl. 248-307) 'This invention relates to display andstorage devices and more particularly to devices which are attached toshelves, counters and the like to further utilize the space available indepartment stores, markets and similar establishments for stocking anddisplaying mechandise.

When shelves and counters in shops and markets are lled to`capacity withmerchandise, it is common practice to attach racks and similar devicesfor storing and displaying merchandise to walls, counters, shelves andother surfaces. These devices generally consist of a mounting bracket orplate for attaching the device and a rod or arm extending from thebracket or plate upon which merchandise can be hung or otherwisesupported. Most devices of this nature are unsatisfactory in that theyrequire Aa relatively permanent installation. They are usually attachedby using screws, nails, bolts, adhesives, or similar means VVand thisresults in making holes in or otherwise marringsthe surface to whichthey are attached. Once these devices are installed, removing ordisplacing them is time consuming and the surface to which they wereattached usually requires refinishing. Y

In accordance vn'th our invention the objections to thes devices can beminimized and a simple, eicient display and storage rack for merchandiseprovided which is quickly and easily installed, removed, or displacedand which does not require the use of screws, nails and the like forinstallation. The device of our invention is especially suitable inutilizing available display and storage space directly underneathshelves and counters'which heretofore has not always been used. In thisconnection, the device is readily attachable to appliances in common usein shops and markets.

It is customary practice to aix a price card directly below or abovemerchandise to indicate the price of merchandise displayed on shelvesand counters. As holders for such price cards there is usually provideda length of price channel molding secured to the edge of the shelf orcounter. In cross-section, the price channel molding is generally in theshape of a very at U with the ends of the U slanted towards each otherthereby forming a recess at the top and bottom of the molding withinwhich the cards denoting the price of the articles of merchandise areplaced and held in position. The device of our invention can be quicklyand simply installed by attaching it to such channel molding.

To more fully understand the nature of the invention, reference is madeto the attached drawings wherein a preferred embodiment is shown. In thedrawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates an isometric view of devices embodying the presentinvention attached to conventional price channel molding which isaffixed to the front edge of a shelf and further illustrates a way inwhich merchandise can be supported by the device for display and storagepurposes;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines 2 2 of Fig.1 and illustrates the manner in which the device is attached to pricechannel molding and further illustrates a way in which the devicepermits the use of '2,942,831 Patented June 28, 1960 space underneathshelves for display'and storage pur- Poses;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of the rack attached toprice channel molding.

In the drawings, there is shown a sheft 1 upon which articles ofmerchandise are customarily stored and displayed. The front edge of theshelf has a length of price channel molding 2 secured to it by means ofscrews. In cross-section, the molding 2 is somewhat in the shape of a atU with the ends of the U converging thereby forming recesses 3 at theupper and lower parts of the molding extending throughout its entirelength.

A rack 4 consisting broadly of a price channel molding engaging memberor clamp 5 and a merchandise supporting member 6 is attached to themolding 2. .Clamp 5 may be a square or rectangular sheet of sheet springsteel approximately twelve thousandths (0.012) of an inch thick bentupon itself substantially in the form of a V to thereby give a flatupper part 7 and flat lower part 8 which together define the V.Preferably, the upper part 7 is made slightly longer than the lower part8 to 'present an outside surface upon which can be indicated the priceor type of merchandise hung on the rack.

Since spring steel is highly resilient, the upper and lower parts 7 and8 respectively of the clamp 5 can be forced towards each other to form amore constricted V. The clamp resists such forces and when they areremoved, the clamp returns to its original shape. This property holdsthe clamp securely in position in the molding as will be explainedbelow. The ends of the upper part 7 and lower part 8 of the clamp areilared outwardly away from each other to form lips or prongs 9 which areadapted to engage within the recesses 3 in the molding 2.

The clamp 5, noted above, is preferably made of spring steel. However,it may be made in other forms and from other suitable materials, such asplastic, which possess the desired resiliency. The size of the clamp canobviously -be varied as desired. It is preferred, however, that it beslightly greater than three inches in width at the open end of the Vsince price channel moldings are usually from about one to three incheswide. A clamp this wide can be used with various sized moldings sincethe clamp may `be made to assume a narrower V shape by forcing the upperand lower parts 7 and 8 towards each other as noted above.

As a support for articles of merchandise, a rod 10, such as a steel rodone-eighth inch in diameter, may be secured to the underside of thebottom part 8 of the clamp 5. If the rod and the clamp are both made ofsteel, the rod may be secured to the clamp by spot welding. From theunderside of the bottom part 8 of the clamp, the rod extends verticallydownwardly, as shown in Fig. 2, a sufficient distance to clear thebottom of the shelf 1 and then horizontally to parallel the bottom ofthe shelf when the rack is attached thereto. The rod may extendrearwardly under the shelf a distance substantially the width of theshelf. At this point the rod extends vertically downwardly a shortdistance and is then doubled upon itself to extend towards the front.This permits merchandise to be strung on the rod from the front. The rodmay be turned upwardly at the end 11 to prevent articles hung from therod from slipping od.

The rack may be attached to the molding by grasping the outer surfacesof parts 7 and 8 of the clamp 5 with a thumb and foreiinger of one handand pressing them together, thus forcing the clamp to assume a narrowerV shape. The clamp is then placed into the channel molding 2 with thelips or prongs 9 in alignment with the recesses 3 in the molding. Thepressure on the clamp is then released, thereby permitting the prongs 9lto seat v Y 3 vvithin the molding recesses to the molding.

The foregoing illustration of the invention has been directed toembodimentof the inventionvI/hich has a snglestrai'ght arm or 'r'd forsupporting articles of 1 ""r chandise.Y It is apparent, however, thatmore VthaiUin'fe rod may be attached to the cl'ar'np and that 'they maybe in other desirable forms shapes. VItis Vtherefore 'to be understoodthat other modifications, substitutions, and variations may bemade'inthe 'materials o'fjconstc'tion and inthe form of the 'device'illustrated vvithout depart'-Y ing frdmthe scope "of the appendedclaims.

What is 'claimed is:

an article supporting part having a/fr'ee "'e'nd'terninating under saidclamp.

2. A display device adapted 'to be 'removably attached to a lgenerallyllat U-shaped price channel molding having upper and lower 'recessesalong its length, comprising 3 and thus securing the rack I asubstantially V'shap'ed resilient clamp the ends of Which air outwardlyto form prongs ladapted 'to engage said Vmolding in said recesses, andan elongated article' slipporting rod 'attached to said clamp, lsaid roddepending from beneath said clamp and lirst extending rearwardly andthen forwardly vvith respect to the V ofY said clamp f in verticalspaced lrelationship to form an article supporting part having a freeend terminating under said clamp.

3. In combination, a shelf, a at generally U-shaped price channelmolding having upper and lower recesses along its length, said channelmolding being mounted on the front edge of the shelf, a display deviceattached to said molding by means of a resilient clamp, said clamphaving rearwardly disposed prongs engaging said molding in saidrecesses, and an `elongated article supporting rod attached to saidclamp, said rod depending from beneath said clamp and rst'fextendingrearwardly and then forwardly with respect to vsaid clamp in verticalspaced rela'- tionslu'p to forni 'anarticle supporting part disposed inparallel proximity to saidshelf, said article supporting l part having afree end terminating adjacent said clamp. l. A display device adaptedt'o be removably attached ReferencesCited in the file of this patentUNITED STATES PATENTS 556,592 Trachsel Mar. 17, 1896 754,503 R'ubicam LMar. 15, 1904 1,188,227 Woods June 20, 1916 1,223,998 Maynard- 1Apr. 24,1917 `1,543,295 Parker ;June 23, 1925 1,754,366 Lissy Apr. V15, 19302,058,733 Smith Oct. 27, 1936 2,100,017 t 2,141,342 v2,166,708YSullivanv July 18, 1939 `2,206,588 Tritt July 2, 1940 2,246,120 BiskaJune 17, 1940 2,248,916 1941 2,342,542 1944 2,724,509Y 1955 2,761,2301956 L FOREIGN PATENTS 857,430 Germany Nov. 27,

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